The Rio Grande tows the Orinoco
The runabouts Rio Grande, Orinoco and Ganges
The USS Orinoco (NCC-72905) is a Federation Danube-class runabout in service during the 24th century. It was outfitted with a sensor pod.
In 2370, the Orinoco was assigned to Deep Space 9, meant as a replacement for the previously destroyed USS Yangtzee Kiang. It was used to evacuate the station of all non-Bajoran personnel. (DS9: "The Siege")
Shortly after stardate 47573.1, Major Kira Nerys and Lieutenant Jadzia Dax used the Orinoco to track down the USS Rio Grande, which had been reported travelling at warp 2, unpiloted, in Sector 401. When the Orinoco caught up with the Rio Grande, Dax used an old "Hopi rope-trick" with the Orinoco's tractor beam to force the Rio Grande out of warp. The Orinoco would later be towed by the Rio Grande back to the Orellius system. (DS9: "Paradise")
Later that year, the Orinoco, Ganges and Rio Grande held a defense position meant to prevent the Maquis from attacking Bryma, a Cardassian colony in the Demilitarized Zone. Kira and Dax piloted the Orinoco during the blockade. The Orinoco was attacked by one of the Maquis ships and had its sensor pod destroyed, as well as its navigational array damaged. Chief O'Brien, aboard the Ganges, would later assist in the repairs of the Orinoco. (DS9: "The Maquis, Part II")
In late-2370, Chief O'Brien outfitted the Orinoco with extra banks of photon torpedoes. It would be piloted by Kira and Doctor Julian Bashir, while it assisted the USS Odyssey during its rescue attempt of Commander Benjamin Sisko, who was being held prisoner by the Dominion in the Gamma Quadrant. During the ensuing battle, the Orinoco helped lay down covering fire for the nearly-disabled Mekong, and later attempted to intecept the kamikazi Jem'Hadar attack ship that destroyed the Odyssey. (DS9: "The Jem'Hadar")
The Orinoco was destroyed by the Cardassian terrorist group the True Way in 2372. (DS9: "Our Man Bashir")
- Named after the Orinoco River in South America.
Additional References
- DS9: